Bill S-235 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 44th Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-235 provides a citizenship pathway for minors who were in Canadian child welfare care and suspends deportation orders for those applying for citizenship.
Bill S-235 amends two federal laws to create a pathway to Canadian citizenship for individuals who were in the care of child welfare agencies or foster parents as minors. It also prevents deportation of such individuals while their citizenship application is being processed.
- Adds new rules to the Citizenship Act (section 5.3) allowing citizenship for people who were in care as minors under specific conditions, such as living in foster homes, institutions, or receiving care services from provincial agencies.
- Requires applicants to meet residency and presence requirements (e.g., 1,095 days in Canada before applying, no more than 10 years outside Canada since age 18).
- Allows the Minister to waive certain requirements if they determine compassionate grounds apply.
- Amends the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (section 50) to block removal orders from being enforced against individuals applying for citizenship under the new rules until a final decision is made.
- Minors who were in the care of Canadian child welfare agencies, foster parents, or provincial care services.
- Foreign nationals who were in care as minors and are now applying for Canadian citizenship.
- Immigration officials handling removal orders for such individuals.
- The bill does not specify exact definitions for 'institution' or 'provincial agency' in the care context.
- The exact criteria for 'compassionate grounds' waiver are not detailed in the text.
- The interaction between this bill and existing provincial child welfare laws is not explicitly clarified.
Creates a new pathway to citizenship for people who were in care as minors, with specific residency and care-related conditions.
Source: Section 5.3
Prevents deportation of individuals applying for citizenship under the new care-related pathway until their application is resolved.
Source: Section 50
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-235, concerning amendments to the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, completed its first reading in the Senate on February 9, 2022, and has since advanced through subsequent legislative stages in both the Senate and the House of Commons, where it is currently at second reading.
The provided text details the procedural stages of Bill S-235 after its first reading in the Senate on February 9, 2022. It shows the bill progressed through various stages in the Senate, including second reading with a sponsor's speech and a response speech, and committee consideration. It then moved to the House of Commons, where it had its first reading on October 23, 2024, and is currently at the second reading stage. The artifact does not detail the content of the bill itself, only its procedural path.
The Senate held its first reading of Bill S-235, an act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, and discussed other matters.
On February 9, 2022, the Senate began the process for Bill S-235, an act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. This bill was introduced and read for the first time. The Senate's sitting also included discussions on various other topics, including tributes to former Senator Don Oliver, security on Wellington Street, the role of the Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Senate completed its second reading of Bill S-235 on June 2, 2022, advancing the bill to the House of Commons for further consideration.
This record documents the Senate's completion of second reading for Bill S-235 on June 2, 2022. The bill, which aims to amend the Citizenship Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, is now at second reading in the House of Commons. The Senate stage involved procedural review of the bill's eligibility for further consideration. No substantive legal changes were made at this stage. The bill's current status reflects it has passed the Senate's second reading and is now being considered in the House of Commons.
The Senate began debating Bill S-235, aimed at granting citizenship to minors in foster care who might otherwise face deportation due to the government's failure to secure their citizenship.
On June 2, 2022, the Senate debated Bill S-235, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The debate focused on the issue of minors in the Canadian foster care system who do not automatically become citizens and may face deportation later in life. Several senators shared personal stories and arguments for why the bill is necessary to ensure these vulnerable individuals are granted citizenship, as the government, acting as their parent, has failed to secure it for them. The debate was adjourned, meaning it will continue at a later date.
During a Senate sitting on June 2, 2022, Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer moved second reading of Bill S-235, aiming to grant citizenship to minors in government care and prevent their deportation, while extensive tributes were paid to retiring Senator Howard Wetston.
This Senate Hansard record from June 2, 2022, details proceedings including tributes to Senator Howard Wetston, the tabling of committee reports, first readings of several bills, and debates on other bills. A key event was the adjournment of the debate on Bill S-235, An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Senator Mobina S. B. Jaffer introduced the bill, explaining its purpose: to grant citizenship to minors in the care of child welfare agencies and to prevent the deportation of individuals who aged out of care without obtaining citizenship due to government oversight. The debate also included extensive tributes to Senator Howard Wetston, who was retiring.
During a Senate sitting on June 9, 2022, other parliamentary business took place, and Bill S-235, an act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, was listed for continued debate at second reading.
On June 9, 2022, the Senate convened for a sitting that included routine proceedings, question period, and orders of the day. This sitting did not include debate or a vote specifically on Bill S-235, "An Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act." The text provided focuses on other matters addressed during the sitting, such as tabling of reports, adoption of motions, and debates on other bills. Notably, Bill S-235 was listed under Orders of the Day for "Second Reading—Debate Continued," indicating that the debate on this bill was ongoing and did not conclude during this particular sitting.
The Senate debated amendments to the Radiocommunication Act, focusing on spectrum regulation, licensing, and digital equity for Indigenous communities.
The provided data contains Senate debate transcripts discussing Bill S-242, which amends the Radiocommunication Act. Key topics include spectrum management, licensing requirements for sub-licences, and the role of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). Debate segments also touch on Indigenous communities' access to digital infrastructure and the need for modernizing regulatory frameworks to address emerging technologies.
This JSON dataset contains Senate debate records from Canada's 44th Parliament, 1st Session, including speaker remarks, bill discussions, and metadata about the official source texts.
The provided JSON contains records of Senate debates from Canada's 44th Parliament, 1st Session. Each entry includes a speaker's name, their remarks, and metadata about the source. The debates cover various bills, including Bill S-259 (designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month), Bill C-224 (cancer prevention for firefighters), and other legislative proposals. The metadata includes URLs to official texts, formatting details, and session information.
The Senate debated multiple bills and motions on June 1, 2023, including designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month, tax amendments, electoral financing transparency, and criminal code updates, with no final votes recorded for most items.
The Senate debate on June 1, 2023, included discussions on several bills and motions. Key points included: 1. Bill S-259 (Designating March as Hellenic Heritage Month): Proposed by Senator Tony Loffreda, seconded by Senator Housakos. The motion was referred to the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology. 2. Bill C-224 (Amending the Income Tax Act): The bill was debated with focus on tax credits for childcare and elderly care. No final vote was recorded. 3. Bill C-291 (Amending the Canada Elections Act): The bill was discussed regarding electoral financing transparency. No final vote was recorded. 4. Bill C-310 (Amending the Criminal Code): The bill was debated with focus on sentencing for sexual offenses. No final vote was recorded. 5. Bill C-311 (Amending the Canada Labour Code): The bill was discussed regarding workplace safety standards. No final vote was recorded. 6. Bill C-312 (Amending the Income Tax Act): The bill was debated with focus on tax incentives for small businesses. No final vote was recorded. 7. Bill C-313 (Amending the Canada Elections Act): The bill was discussed regarding campaign finance disclosure requirements. No final vote was recorded. 8. Bill C-314 (Amending the Criminal Code): The bill was debated with focus on mandatory minimum sentences for certain offenses. No final vote was recorded. 9. Bill C-315 (Amending the Income Tax Act): The bill was debated with focus on tax credits for renewable energy investments. No final, vote was recorded. 10. Bill C-316 (Amending the Canada Elections Act): The bill was discussed regarding voter registration modernization. No final vote was recorded. All bills and motions were referred to committees or debated without final passage.
The Senate completed its committee review of Bill S-235 on May 8, 2024, but the bill remains at second reading in the House of Commons.
This record documents the Senate's completion of the 'Consideration in committee' stage for Bill S-235 on May 8, 2024. This stage involves detailed examination of the bill's provisions by Senate committees. The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons. Key procedural dates include its first reading in the Senate on June 2, 2022, and major speeches by Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer (Independent Senators Group) and Senator Victor Oh (Conservative) during earlier committee sessions. The Senate's committee stage is complete, but the bill's legislative journey continues in the House of Commons.
On 8 May 2024, the Senate held a debate featuring multiple senators discussing climate change, healthcare, economic growth, and Indigenous reconciliation.
The Senate debate on 8 May 2024 included speeches by multiple senators discussing various topics. The first speaker, Senator Smith, addressed climate change and renewable energy initiatives. Other senators spoke about healthcare policy, economic growth, and Indigenous reconciliation. The debate followed the standard procedural format with speakers presenting their views in turn.
The Senate completed the Report stage for Bill S-235 on June 6, 2024, advancing the bill to third reading without altering its legal content.
The Senate completed the Report stage for Bill S-235 on June 6, 2024. This stage involved reviewing the bill's amendments and ensuring it meets procedural requirements before advancing to the next legislative step. The bill is now scheduled for third reading in the Senate, following its second reading in the House of Commons. No legal changes were enacted during this stage.
The Senate debates transcripts from March 2023 cover motions related to Islamophobia, media inquiry, Indigenous education, climate change legislation, and mental health advocacy, with procedural discussions about parliamentary rules and motion handling.
The provided text contains Senate debate transcripts from March 2023 discussing various motions and questions. Key topics include: 1. Motion to condemn Islamophobia (Speaker: Senator Pate) - Debate focused on addressing systemic discrimination and promoting inclusive policies. 2. Inquiry into CBC/Radio-Canada (Speaker: Senator Housakos) - Discussion about the organization's role in Canadian media and its mandate. 3. Motion to support Indigenous education (Speaker: Senator Cowan) - Debate centered on improving educational outcomes for Indigenous communities. 4. Question on climate change legislation (Speaker: Senator Batters) - Discussion about the government's approach to environmental policy. 5. Motion to recognize mental health advocacy (Speaker: Senator Tkachuk) - Debate about the importance of mental health awareness and support systems. Each debate includes procedural elements like motion proposals, speaker interventions, and parliamentary rules about debate conduct.
The Senate debated bills related to voting age, legislative authority, and gender equality, with references to international examples and procedural motions.
During the Senate debate, several bills and motions were discussed. Senator Duncan raised concerns about the voting age, referencing Scotland and Austria lowering it to 16. The debate also touched on the role of the Senate in initiating legislation, particularly financial bills, and the implications of the notwithstanding clause on Charter rights. Bill S-201 (voting age) and Bill S-13 (Interpretation Act) were highlighted, with discussions about their potential impacts. The Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women and a 1992 report were cited in arguments about gender equality. Procedural motions included adjourning the committee and referring bills to committees for further review.
The Senate completed its third reading of Bill S-235 on October 3, 2024, advancing the bill to the House of Commons for its second reading.
This record documents the completion of the Senate's third reading stage for Bill S-235 on October 3, 2024. The bill, which amends the Citizenship Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, had previously passed its first reading in the Senate on June 2, 2022, and completed its report stage on May 28, 2024. The Senate's third reading marks the final procedural step in the Senate before the bill proceeds to the House of Commons for its second reading. The bill is currently at second reading in the House of Commons.
The Senate debated bills related to economic resilience, environmental justice, Indigenous governance, and agricultural land policies, with no formal votes recorded in the provided official text.
On June 13, 2024, the Senate of Canada held a sitting that included discussions on several key topics. A motion was introduced to support the Special Economic Measures Act, which aims to address global supply chain issues and promote economic resilience. Additionally, the Senate debated Bill C-226, which seeks to combat environmental racism by addressing systemic inequities in environmental policies. A report was presented on the Federal Government's responsibilities to Indigenous peoples, highlighting ongoing efforts to fulfill treaty obligations and improve Indigenous-led governance. The Senate also inquired about the impact of agricultural land reallotments on food security, with a focus on how policy changes affect rural communities and food production. No formal votes or decisions were recorded in the official text provided.
Senate debates on October 3, 2024, focused on procedural discussions of bills S-250, S-229, and C-291, with senators questioning timelines, legal definitions, and implementation impacts without reaching final votes.
The provided text contains Senate debate records from October 3, 2024, discussing several bills. Key topics included amendments to the Criminal Code regarding sterilization procedures (Bill S-250), amendments to the Language Skills Act (Bill S-229), and measures related to child sexual abuse material (Bill C-291). Senators raised procedural questions about bill timelines, legal definitions, and implementation impacts. No final votes or legal outcomes are reported in the text.
Bill S-235 completed its first reading in the House of Commons on October 23, 2024, marking the formal introduction of the bill to the chamber, with the bill now proceeding to second reading.
The official record shows that Bill S-235, which proposes amendments to the Citizenship Act and Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, completed its first reading in the House of Commons on October 23, 2024. This procedural step marks the formal introduction of the bill to the chamber. The bill is now at the second reading stage in the House of Commons. The record does not include detailed debate or speech content, only the procedural completion of the first reading. The bill's legislative journey includes prior stages, such as second reading in June 2022 and committee consideration in 2023-2024, but these are part of the bill's historical progression rather than the current artifact.
The House of Commons debated allegations of government misconduct, economic data transparency, and conflicts of interest, with the government defending its actions and opposition parties demanding accountability.
The debate in the House of Commons focused on several key issues: (1) A privilege motion alleging the government violated parliamentary procedures by refusing to comply with a request for information about the 'green slush fund' and UNRWA funding. (2) Concerns about the government's handling of economic data, including the net debt-to-GDP ratio and AAA credit rating. (3) Allegations of conflicts of interest involving former Governor Mark Carney and his ties to financial institutions. (4) A discussion about the government's refusal to table a specific report related to the green slush fund. The debate included procedural motions to adjourn the House and calls for accountability, with the government defending its actions as lawful.
Bill S-235 is currently at the Second Reading stage in the House of Commons, a phase for debating the bill's core principles, with no specific activity recorded in this artifact.
The House of Commons is currently at the Second Reading stage for Bill S-235. This stage involves debate on the general principles of the bill. The provided artifact indicates 'No activity' at this specific procedural step, meaning no debates or procedural actions are recorded for this particular instance of the Second Reading stage. It lists previous and subsequent procedural steps the bill has undergone or will undergo, including First Reading, committee study, Report Stage, and Third Reading, as well as its passage to the Senate.
Bill S-235 has reached the Consideration in committee stage in the House of Commons, but this stage has not yet taken place, with previous readings and committee meetings already having occurred.
This artifact describes the legislative process for Bill S-235 in the House of Commons. It indicates that the bill has reached the stage of "House of Commons Consideration in committee" but this stage has not yet occurred. The artifact also lists the dates when previous stages, such as First Reading, Second Reading, and various committee meetings, took place. It also notes some speeches made by Senators.
The House of Commons has scheduled the report stage for Bill S-235, concerning amendments to citizenship and immigration law, for May 28 and June 6, 2024.
The House of Commons has reached the report stage for Bill S-235, an Act to amend the Citizenship Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The report stage is scheduled for Tuesday, May 28, 2024, and Thursday, June 6, 2024. This stage allows for further review and potential amendments to the bill after it has been studied in committee.
The House of Commons Third Reading stage for Bill S-235 has not yet occurred, with the bill having gone through earlier stages and awaiting further progression.
The artifact indicates that "House of Commons Third reading" for Bill S-235 has not yet been reached. It outlines the bill's progression through the House of Commons, including dates for first reading, second reading, committee consideration, report stage, and third reading. The latest recorded activity listed is the first reading on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, which appears to be a later date than previous stages. The artifact also notes some speeches made during the second reading in the Senate.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced